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bottle labeling basics for small brewpub

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  • bottle labeling basics for small brewpub

    We're a 7bbl brewpub soon to add a couple more double size FVs to be able to do some limited local bottling. How are smaller bottlers labeling their 22oz bottles? Is anyone on smaller runs using neck labels too? Look nice, but may be too much extra time/$. Any links for a newbie to get started on this? I have not been able to find much through the search. Thanks for any leads/advice.

    Dave
    Dave Cowie
    Three Forks Bakery & Brewing Company
    Nevada City, CA

  • #2
    What kind of volume? What bottling line will you be using?

    We started with a 6-head Meheen and an antique World Tandem labeler. The Meheen was a good entry-level bottling line, but we wasted years of time and tons of money with the WT. A decent in-line, rotary labeler using pressure sensitive labels will be a purchase you never regret.

    Bottle sales, at least for us, ballooned rapidly, and we'd have been much better off buying a good labeler that we could grow into.

    The pressure-sensitive (self-stick) labels are a great way to sell product. They don't fall off or dissolve in a cooler like the cold-glue labels (a real turn-off), and can double as give-away stickers.
    Timm Turrentine

    Brewerywright,
    Terminal Gravity Brewing,
    Enterprise. Oregon.

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by TGTimm View Post
      What kind of volume? What bottling line will you be using?

      We started with a 6-head Meheen and an antique World Tandem labeler. The Meheen was a good entry-level bottling line, but we wasted years of time and tons of money with the WT. A decent in-line, rotary labeler using pressure sensitive labels will be a purchase you never regret.

      Bottle sales, at least for us, ballooned rapidly, and we'd have been much better off buying a good labeler that we could grow into.

      The pressure-sensitive (self-stick) labels are a great way to sell product. They don't fall off or dissolve in a cooler like the cold-glue labels (a real turn-off), and can double as give-away stickers.
      I'm going to project the two 15bbl FVs will give us ~600 bbl/yr production capacity. Say 25% goes to keg accounts, that leaves 450 bbl to bottling. That's at max though, which it will obviously take a good while to get to. That said, we have a small space (who doesn't?), and so footprint issues for botting systems are important. My thoughts on initial bottling, would be to construct some kind of 2-4 head machine like others have done using CP fillers out on the market. When volume/revenue supports it, then perhaps a Meheen.

      As for the labeling, at this point, I am thinking we'd apply them ourselves. Getting the designs started now led to the Q about neck labels. A great place for our logo, but an extra step, right?
      Dave Cowie
      Three Forks Bakery & Brewing Company
      Nevada City, CA

      Comment


      • #4
        I think getting neck labels applied by hand will be an RPITA--especially if you want them straight.

        Pressure-sensitive labels are what you'll want for hand-app. There's a thread here somewhere on making a very simple rig for applying body labels--I think the cost to build is <$10. When you start using a labeling machine, you'll already have the right labels. In fact, now would be the right time to research a machine, decide what you'll get when you get it, and be sure the labels are compatible--getting all the alphabet agency approvals for new labels is time consuming and expensive.

        In-line (style, not necessarily brand) labelers have a very small footprint. I think ours is something like 4' X 6'.

        Once you start bottling, I'll bet your sales start picking up fast. It's ironic--bottles make much less profit/volume of beer sold, but in our experience, sell really well and fast.
        Last edited by TGTimm; 05-05-2016, 03:09 PM.
        Timm Turrentine

        Brewerywright,
        Terminal Gravity Brewing,
        Enterprise. Oregon.

        Comment


        • #5
          Appreciate the info Rob. I'll give you a ring in the near future to go over the options in more detail.

          Dave
          Dave Cowie
          Three Forks Bakery & Brewing Company
          Nevada City, CA

          Comment

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